Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Qualcomm Snapdragon GPU availability issue. A local attacker could trigger a failure path that stops new GPU address allocations, potentially disrupting device functionality. The technical CVSS score is medium, but CISA KEV listing means exploitation has been observed and affected fleets should not treat it as theoretical.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where affected Qualcomm-based devices are managed business assets or operational technology. KEV status raises urgency, even though the vulnerability mainly affects availability and requires local attack conditions.
Technical view
CVE-2021-1906 involves improper handling of address deregistration after failure in Qualcomm Snapdragon products. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, and high availability impact. The bundle names broad Snapdragon product families and many chip identifiers.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in Android, embedded, automotive, IoT, wearable, connectivity, and compute devices using affected Qualcomm Snapdragon components. Actual risk depends on the device model, OEM firmware branch, and whether the May 2021 Qualcomm fixes reached that product.
Exploitation context
CISA lists CVE-2021-1906 in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, supporting active exploitation. The provided sources do not describe exploit mechanics, affected campaigns, or whether exploitation is targeted or widespread. The CVSS vector indicates local access is required.
Researcher notes
The source bundle does not name a CWE, exploit technique, or patch identifiers beyond Qualcomm’s bulletin. Analysis should stay tied to chip and firmware mapping. Avoid assuming all Snapdragon-branded devices are vulnerable without matching the listed components and OEM update status.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory devices using affected Qualcomm Snapdragon components.
- Check Qualcomm and OEM advisories for fixed firmware availability.
- Apply OEM firmware or security updates that include the May 2021 Qualcomm fixes.
- Prioritize unsupported or stale mobile, IoT, automotive, and embedded deployments.
- Use CISA KEV status to drive remediation timelines.
Validation and detection
- Map device models to Qualcomm chip identifiers listed in the advisory.
- Confirm installed firmware security patch level with OEM documentation.
- Verify whether the OEM update includes Qualcomm May 2021 bulletin fixes.
- Track exceptions where no vendor patch is available.
- Monitor endpoint stability and GPU-related crash telemetry after remediation.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2021-1906 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H2.53.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.2MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/may-2021-bulletinCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-1906CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.